Design by Fundamentals Manager - UKIFS

STEP Fusion; South Wheatley; On-site; GBP 78,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fusion energy organization in the UK is seeking a Design by Fundamentals Manager to oversee the materials qualification for a prototype fusion energy plant. The role involves strategic leadership, close collaboration with technical leads, and alignment with regulatory bodies. Candidates should have a PhD and expertise in materials science. This full-time position includes a salary of £77,239 plus excellent benefits and a vibrant, inclusive culture.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• World-class expertise at the interface of materials modelling and experimentation.
• Deep understanding of nuclear materials science.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary R&D teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Design by Fundamentals programme.
• Ensure alignment with STEP design needs and regulatory expectations.
• Develop a decadal strategy for the programme.

Skills

Leadership

Materials Modelling

Strategic Thinking

Communication Skills

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Job description

Company Description
The UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd, a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid‑century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground‑breaking journey.

Benefits

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family‑friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

The salary for this role is £77,239 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) plus excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

Employees of UKIFS can be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.

Job Description

Innovate to Accelerate Fusion Materials Qualification

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) is at the forefront of delivering clean, abundant, and inherently safe fusion energy. Our flagship STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme is a bold national mission to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040. At the heart of this mission lies the challenge of qualifying materials for use in extreme fusion environments—without access to full‑scale neutron testing in the near term. To meet this challenge, we are pioneering a new innovative approach: Design by Fundamentals (DbF).

We are seeking a visionary Design by Fundamentals Manager to lead this strategically critical programme. Reporting to the Head of Materials Science and Technology, you will shape and oversee a multidisciplinary research and development effort that builds on micro‑scale materials modelling, integrated with carefully designed experimental campaigns to accelerate materials qualification. Your leadership will ensure that STEP has the materials data it needs to design, license, and build the world’s first fusion prototype plant.

You will work in close partnership with UKAEA technical leads and academic collaborators, forging a unified team that spans simulation and experimentation. You will also engage with regulatory bodies, ensuring that DbF outputs meet their expectations and support STEP’s delivery timeline. This is a rare opportunity to lead a world‑first programme that redefines how materials are qualified for fusion—and potentially for other high‑performance sectors.

Key Technical Focus: Design by Fundamentals (DbF)

• Multiscale Modelling: From mechanisms at the microscale to physical properties of the macroscale components.
• Targeted Experiments: Using irradiation, thermal, and electromagnetic loading to inform and validate models.
• Predictive Capability: Delivering reliable materials data for STEP design and regulatory approval.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Programme Leadership

• Define and deliver a unified vision for DbF, integrating experimental and modelling efforts.
• Build and lead a high‑performing, innovative, multidisciplinary team across multiple institutions.
• Ensure access to the necessary facilities, skills, and computational resources.

Technical Integration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Align DbF with STEP design needs and regulatory expectations.
• Collaborate with the Engineering Authority and Engineering Delivery Directorates of UKIFS to ensure a coherent materials qualification strategy, fit for STEP design.
• Act as a key technical interface with regulatory bodies.

Programme Management

• Develop and manage a decadal strategy for DbF.
• Ensure delivery to cost, schedule, and STEP programme milestones.
• Maintain alignment with STEP’s high‑level objectives and commercial mission.

Innovation & Economic Impact

• Foster a culture of innovation and responsible research.
• Identify opportunities for IP generation and cross‑sector application.
• Encourage publication of patents and high‑impact research outputs.

Communication & Dissemination

• Provide regular updates to STEP leadership and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to design reviews and strategic planning.
• Promote publication and presentation of research, aligned with UKIFS commercial policies.

Exemplary Leadership

• Embody UKIFS values and leadership behaviours.
• Create an inclusive, collaborative, and high‑performing team culture.
• Lead by example, upholding the Seven Principles of Public Life.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline.
• World‑class expertise at the interface of materials modelling and experimentation.
• Deep understanding of nuclear materials science, especially irradiation effects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary R&D teams and deliver under pressure.
• Strategic thinker with strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to responsible innovation and safety standards.

Beneficial Experience

• Expertise in materials modelling and extrapolation to fusion environments.
• Broad experimental background (e.g., micro‑structural characterisation, corrosion, micromechanics).
• Experience with IP generation and management.
• Familiarity with design for multiple attributes and harsh environment codes.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under‑represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and people with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications. We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment; to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.

Seniority Level

• Director

Employment Type

• Full‑time

Job Function

• Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

The role will close on 2nd September 2025.